The 54th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, was among the first military units composed of free men of African descent to form following the issuance of the President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. The 54th would become celebrated in the 1989 Academy Award winning film, GLORY, starring Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman.
The muster call for the 54th was overwhelmed by enthusiastic, patriotic African American men. In order to necessarily screen down for the appropriate enlistment number, candidates were assessed for physical fitness. Ishmael, a laborer, was accepted into the Regiment from Springboro, Ohio on 5 May 1863. So too, was his little brother,
Joseph FAG# 55341584 and 49346397.
By mid-May, the brothers were training in Readville, MA for the Regiment's deployment to South Carolina. Ishmael would have been present for nearly all the unit's battle engagements in South Carolina (and in Florida), beginning June 1863, until he was mustered out of service at Charleston following Armistice in August, 1865. His military service record is below.
Of the 1,673 men of the 54th, 270 died from disease or combat.
By 1870, Ishmael had migrated to Michigan where he was a barber. By 1880, he is a farmer in Kansas; and later, Nebraska.
Per newspaper announcement dated 24 Jun 1899, he arrived in Cheyenne, WY to join brother Joseph in the barbershop business located on 17th and Eddy (present day Warren Ave.) streets.
By census, Ishmael declares his father was born in PA (in one record, MA) and that his mother was of German descent. He is enumerated "mulatto" several times.
In the Old Testament, by consent, Ishmael was the first son of Abraham and his barren wife's Egyptian maid, Hagar. By promise of an angel of the Lord, Ishmael would have descendants as numerous as the dust of the earth and become the founder of a nation. Two marriages and as many as 9 children can be found for Ishmael Palmer.
Cheyenne newspaper accounts at the time of Ishmael's death make no mention of his military service, nor the names of his wife and children. He died of blood poisoning and his funeral was attended by a "large concourse of friends at the Allen A. M. E. Church which followed the remains to their last resting place.
ADDENDUMS:
1. Cheyenne Daily Sun-Leader
24 Jun 1899
page 4
Mr. Ishmael Palmer, brother of J. A. Palmer, the well known barber , arrived in Cheyenne today from Niobrara, Neb., and will locate in this city, entering the shop of his brother. Mr. Palmer has a very fine war record and a crippled hand tells the story of a wound received in the battle of Olustee*, when, as color sergeant, a musket ball entered the hand which held the flagstaff, but the Stars and Stripes continued to wave, the wounded man transferring the staff to the other hand.
2. Wyoming Tribune
Cheyenne, WY
1 Dec 1910
page 1
Mr. Ishmael Palmer, one of the proprietors of the barber shop at 402 W. 17th, died at his home, 712 Central Avenue, last night, of blood poisoning, after an illness of some days. His case was for a few days considered serious, but death was unexpected at this ti9me. The Funeral arrangement have not yet been made.
~~
Military Service Record
13 May, 1863 -- Mustered in at Readville, MA. Ishmael was "25 years, 5'9", complexion Light, born Stark Co. OH, a laborer." Ishmael's place of birth cannot be clearly substantiated by another public record. There was an "Israel" Palmer in OH census records with a son, Joseph but the censuses of 1850 and 1860 are not reliable for race. It is further complicated by Ishamael's and brother Joseph's "light complexions." In censuses, they were enumerated "mulatto" as well as "white." Nevertheless, members of the 54th had to declare themselves in writing as "free" men. The Palmer brothers did so.
16 Jul, 1863 -- Wounded on James Island
18 Aug, 1863 -- Returned to Company. (Ishmael would have therefore missed the Battle of Fort Wagner on 18 Jul).
20 Feb 1864 -- Wounded at the Battle of Olustee (Florida). About 2,700 of over 10,000 combatants on both sides were killed—a Confederate victory. Per newspaper account above announcing his arrival in Cheyenne in 1899, Ishmael was wounded by a musket ball in the hand (right) while carrying the U.S. flag. He changed hands to continue carrying the flag.
25 Feb 1864 -- Corporal Palmer entered Beaufort Hospital, South Carolina.
Feb|March 1864 -- Absent, sick in hospital at Beaurfort, S. C.
15 Apr 1864 -- discharged from Beaufort Hospital and returned to duty.
Sept 1864 -- On duty warden at prisoners camp
8 Oct, 1864 -- Reduced in rank--from Corporal to Private--for fighting at the Prisoners Camp, per order Col. Hollowell. No further description is available. It is interesting to note that Ishmael's stone identifies him as a Sergeant. There is no support for that in military records. Brother Joseph was a sergeant. Ishmael may have submitted that rank with his application for military pension to obtain a higher award. Joseph never applied for a pension.
July 1865 -- Pvt. Palmer Absent detch. Post Commsay Charleston no order. Per transcription. Record is of uncertain meaning.
20 Aug 1865 -- Corporal. Mustered out of service at Mt. Pleasant, Charleston, S.C.
--Prepared and submitted by Clint Black, #47536687, May, 2012
Children:
Otto Grant Palmer 1876-1965
Albert Melville Palmer 1882-1960
Frances Palmer 1884
Grace Palmer Wyatt 4/29/1886- 4/1977
Viola Palmer 1889
Sandford "Sam" Palmer. 1891-1917
Marthena C. Palmer Bowman 1894-1985
Eva Palmer 1897
The muster call for the 54th was overwhelmed by enthusiastic, patriotic African American men. In order to necessarily screen down for the appropriate enlistment number, candidates were assessed for physical fitness. Ishmael, a laborer, was accepted into the Regiment from Springboro, Ohio on 5 May 1863. So too, was his little brother,
Joseph FAG# 55341584 and 49346397.
By mid-May, the brothers were training in Readville, MA for the Regiment's deployment to South Carolina. Ishmael would have been present for nearly all the unit's battle engagements in South Carolina (and in Florida), beginning June 1863, until he was mustered out of service at Charleston following Armistice in August, 1865. His military service record is below.
Of the 1,673 men of the 54th, 270 died from disease or combat.
By 1870, Ishmael had migrated to Michigan where he was a barber. By 1880, he is a farmer in Kansas; and later, Nebraska.
Per newspaper announcement dated 24 Jun 1899, he arrived in Cheyenne, WY to join brother Joseph in the barbershop business located on 17th and Eddy (present day Warren Ave.) streets.
By census, Ishmael declares his father was born in PA (in one record, MA) and that his mother was of German descent. He is enumerated "mulatto" several times.
In the Old Testament, by consent, Ishmael was the first son of Abraham and his barren wife's Egyptian maid, Hagar. By promise of an angel of the Lord, Ishmael would have descendants as numerous as the dust of the earth and become the founder of a nation. Two marriages and as many as 9 children can be found for Ishmael Palmer.
Cheyenne newspaper accounts at the time of Ishmael's death make no mention of his military service, nor the names of his wife and children. He died of blood poisoning and his funeral was attended by a "large concourse of friends at the Allen A. M. E. Church which followed the remains to their last resting place.
ADDENDUMS:
1. Cheyenne Daily Sun-Leader
24 Jun 1899
page 4
Mr. Ishmael Palmer, brother of J. A. Palmer, the well known barber , arrived in Cheyenne today from Niobrara, Neb., and will locate in this city, entering the shop of his brother. Mr. Palmer has a very fine war record and a crippled hand tells the story of a wound received in the battle of Olustee*, when, as color sergeant, a musket ball entered the hand which held the flagstaff, but the Stars and Stripes continued to wave, the wounded man transferring the staff to the other hand.
2. Wyoming Tribune
Cheyenne, WY
1 Dec 1910
page 1
Mr. Ishmael Palmer, one of the proprietors of the barber shop at 402 W. 17th, died at his home, 712 Central Avenue, last night, of blood poisoning, after an illness of some days. His case was for a few days considered serious, but death was unexpected at this ti9me. The Funeral arrangement have not yet been made.
~~
Military Service Record
13 May, 1863 -- Mustered in at Readville, MA. Ishmael was "25 years, 5'9", complexion Light, born Stark Co. OH, a laborer." Ishmael's place of birth cannot be clearly substantiated by another public record. There was an "Israel" Palmer in OH census records with a son, Joseph but the censuses of 1850 and 1860 are not reliable for race. It is further complicated by Ishamael's and brother Joseph's "light complexions." In censuses, they were enumerated "mulatto" as well as "white." Nevertheless, members of the 54th had to declare themselves in writing as "free" men. The Palmer brothers did so.
16 Jul, 1863 -- Wounded on James Island
18 Aug, 1863 -- Returned to Company. (Ishmael would have therefore missed the Battle of Fort Wagner on 18 Jul).
20 Feb 1864 -- Wounded at the Battle of Olustee (Florida). About 2,700 of over 10,000 combatants on both sides were killed—a Confederate victory. Per newspaper account above announcing his arrival in Cheyenne in 1899, Ishmael was wounded by a musket ball in the hand (right) while carrying the U.S. flag. He changed hands to continue carrying the flag.
25 Feb 1864 -- Corporal Palmer entered Beaufort Hospital, South Carolina.
Feb|March 1864 -- Absent, sick in hospital at Beaurfort, S. C.
15 Apr 1864 -- discharged from Beaufort Hospital and returned to duty.
Sept 1864 -- On duty warden at prisoners camp
8 Oct, 1864 -- Reduced in rank--from Corporal to Private--for fighting at the Prisoners Camp, per order Col. Hollowell. No further description is available. It is interesting to note that Ishmael's stone identifies him as a Sergeant. There is no support for that in military records. Brother Joseph was a sergeant. Ishmael may have submitted that rank with his application for military pension to obtain a higher award. Joseph never applied for a pension.
July 1865 -- Pvt. Palmer Absent detch. Post Commsay Charleston no order. Per transcription. Record is of uncertain meaning.
20 Aug 1865 -- Corporal. Mustered out of service at Mt. Pleasant, Charleston, S.C.
--Prepared and submitted by Clint Black, #47536687, May, 2012
Children:
Otto Grant Palmer 1876-1965
Albert Melville Palmer 1882-1960
Frances Palmer 1884
Grace Palmer Wyatt 4/29/1886- 4/1977
Viola Palmer 1889
Sandford "Sam" Palmer. 1891-1917
Marthena C. Palmer Bowman 1894-1985
Eva Palmer 1897
The 54th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, was among the first military units composed of free men of African descent to form following the issuance of the President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. The 54th would become celebrated in the 1989 Academy Award winning film, GLORY, starring Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman.
The muster call for the 54th was overwhelmed by enthusiastic, patriotic African American men. In order to necessarily screen down for the appropriate enlistment number, candidates were assessed for physical fitness. Ishmael, a laborer, was accepted into the Regiment from Springboro, Ohio on 5 May 1863. So too, was his little brother,
Joseph FAG# 55341584 and 49346397.
By mid-May, the brothers were training in Readville, MA for the Regiment's deployment to South Carolina. Ishmael would have been present for nearly all the unit's battle engagements in South Carolina (and in Florida), beginning June 1863, until he was mustered out of service at Charleston following Armistice in August, 1865. His military service record is below.
Of the 1,673 men of the 54th, 270 died from disease or combat.
By 1870, Ishmael had migrated to Michigan where he was a barber. By 1880, he is a farmer in Kansas; and later, Nebraska.
Per newspaper announcement dated 24 Jun 1899, he arrived in Cheyenne, WY to join brother Joseph in the barbershop business located on 17th and Eddy (present day Warren Ave.) streets.
By census, Ishmael declares his father was born in PA (in one record, MA) and that his mother was of German descent. He is enumerated "mulatto" several times.
In the Old Testament, by consent, Ishmael was the first son of Abraham and his barren wife's Egyptian maid, Hagar. By promise of an angel of the Lord, Ishmael would have descendants as numerous as the dust of the earth and become the founder of a nation. Two marriages and as many as 9 children can be found for Ishmael Palmer.
Cheyenne newspaper accounts at the time of Ishmael's death make no mention of his military service, nor the names of his wife and children. He died of blood poisoning and his funeral was attended by a "large concourse of friends at the Allen A. M. E. Church which followed the remains to their last resting place.
ADDENDUMS:
1. Cheyenne Daily Sun-Leader
24 Jun 1899
page 4
Mr. Ishmael Palmer, brother of J. A. Palmer, the well known barber , arrived in Cheyenne today from Niobrara, Neb., and will locate in this city, entering the shop of his brother. Mr. Palmer has a very fine war record and a crippled hand tells the story of a wound received in the battle of Olustee*, when, as color sergeant, a musket ball entered the hand which held the flagstaff, but the Stars and Stripes continued to wave, the wounded man transferring the staff to the other hand.
2. Wyoming Tribune
Cheyenne, WY
1 Dec 1910
page 1
Mr. Ishmael Palmer, one of the proprietors of the barber shop at 402 W. 17th, died at his home, 712 Central Avenue, last night, of blood poisoning, after an illness of some days. His case was for a few days considered serious, but death was unexpected at this ti9me. The Funeral arrangement have not yet been made.
~~
Military Service Record
13 May, 1863 -- Mustered in at Readville, MA. Ishmael was "25 years, 5'9", complexion Light, born Stark Co. OH, a laborer." Ishmael's place of birth cannot be clearly substantiated by another public record. There was an "Israel" Palmer in OH census records with a son, Joseph but the censuses of 1850 and 1860 are not reliable for race. It is further complicated by Ishamael's and brother Joseph's "light complexions." In censuses, they were enumerated "mulatto" as well as "white." Nevertheless, members of the 54th had to declare themselves in writing as "free" men. The Palmer brothers did so.
16 Jul, 1863 -- Wounded on James Island
18 Aug, 1863 -- Returned to Company. (Ishmael would have therefore missed the Battle of Fort Wagner on 18 Jul).
20 Feb 1864 -- Wounded at the Battle of Olustee (Florida). About 2,700 of over 10,000 combatants on both sides were killed—a Confederate victory. Per newspaper account above announcing his arrival in Cheyenne in 1899, Ishmael was wounded by a musket ball in the hand (right) while carrying the U.S. flag. He changed hands to continue carrying the flag.
25 Feb 1864 -- Corporal Palmer entered Beaufort Hospital, South Carolina.
Feb|March 1864 -- Absent, sick in hospital at Beaurfort, S. C.
15 Apr 1864 -- discharged from Beaufort Hospital and returned to duty.
Sept 1864 -- On duty warden at prisoners camp
8 Oct, 1864 -- Reduced in rank--from Corporal to Private--for fighting at the Prisoners Camp, per order Col. Hollowell. No further description is available. It is interesting to note that Ishmael's stone identifies him as a Sergeant. There is no support for that in military records. Brother Joseph was a sergeant. Ishmael may have submitted that rank with his application for military pension to obtain a higher award. Joseph never applied for a pension.
July 1865 -- Pvt. Palmer Absent detch. Post Commsay Charleston no order. Per transcription. Record is of uncertain meaning.
20 Aug 1865 -- Corporal. Mustered out of service at Mt. Pleasant, Charleston, S.C.
--Prepared and submitted by Clint Black, #47536687, May, 2012
Children:
Otto Grant Palmer 1876-1965
Albert Melville Palmer 1882-1960
Frances Palmer 1884
Grace Palmer Wyatt 4/29/1886- 4/1977
Viola Palmer 1889
Sandford "Sam" Palmer. 1891-1917
Marthena C. Palmer Bowman 1894-1985
Eva Palmer 1897
The muster call for the 54th was overwhelmed by enthusiastic, patriotic African American men. In order to necessarily screen down for the appropriate enlistment number, candidates were assessed for physical fitness. Ishmael, a laborer, was accepted into the Regiment from Springboro, Ohio on 5 May 1863. So too, was his little brother,
Joseph FAG# 55341584 and 49346397.
By mid-May, the brothers were training in Readville, MA for the Regiment's deployment to South Carolina. Ishmael would have been present for nearly all the unit's battle engagements in South Carolina (and in Florida), beginning June 1863, until he was mustered out of service at Charleston following Armistice in August, 1865. His military service record is below.
Of the 1,673 men of the 54th, 270 died from disease or combat.
By 1870, Ishmael had migrated to Michigan where he was a barber. By 1880, he is a farmer in Kansas; and later, Nebraska.
Per newspaper announcement dated 24 Jun 1899, he arrived in Cheyenne, WY to join brother Joseph in the barbershop business located on 17th and Eddy (present day Warren Ave.) streets.
By census, Ishmael declares his father was born in PA (in one record, MA) and that his mother was of German descent. He is enumerated "mulatto" several times.
In the Old Testament, by consent, Ishmael was the first son of Abraham and his barren wife's Egyptian maid, Hagar. By promise of an angel of the Lord, Ishmael would have descendants as numerous as the dust of the earth and become the founder of a nation. Two marriages and as many as 9 children can be found for Ishmael Palmer.
Cheyenne newspaper accounts at the time of Ishmael's death make no mention of his military service, nor the names of his wife and children. He died of blood poisoning and his funeral was attended by a "large concourse of friends at the Allen A. M. E. Church which followed the remains to their last resting place.
ADDENDUMS:
1. Cheyenne Daily Sun-Leader
24 Jun 1899
page 4
Mr. Ishmael Palmer, brother of J. A. Palmer, the well known barber , arrived in Cheyenne today from Niobrara, Neb., and will locate in this city, entering the shop of his brother. Mr. Palmer has a very fine war record and a crippled hand tells the story of a wound received in the battle of Olustee*, when, as color sergeant, a musket ball entered the hand which held the flagstaff, but the Stars and Stripes continued to wave, the wounded man transferring the staff to the other hand.
2. Wyoming Tribune
Cheyenne, WY
1 Dec 1910
page 1
Mr. Ishmael Palmer, one of the proprietors of the barber shop at 402 W. 17th, died at his home, 712 Central Avenue, last night, of blood poisoning, after an illness of some days. His case was for a few days considered serious, but death was unexpected at this ti9me. The Funeral arrangement have not yet been made.
~~
Military Service Record
13 May, 1863 -- Mustered in at Readville, MA. Ishmael was "25 years, 5'9", complexion Light, born Stark Co. OH, a laborer." Ishmael's place of birth cannot be clearly substantiated by another public record. There was an "Israel" Palmer in OH census records with a son, Joseph but the censuses of 1850 and 1860 are not reliable for race. It is further complicated by Ishamael's and brother Joseph's "light complexions." In censuses, they were enumerated "mulatto" as well as "white." Nevertheless, members of the 54th had to declare themselves in writing as "free" men. The Palmer brothers did so.
16 Jul, 1863 -- Wounded on James Island
18 Aug, 1863 -- Returned to Company. (Ishmael would have therefore missed the Battle of Fort Wagner on 18 Jul).
20 Feb 1864 -- Wounded at the Battle of Olustee (Florida). About 2,700 of over 10,000 combatants on both sides were killed—a Confederate victory. Per newspaper account above announcing his arrival in Cheyenne in 1899, Ishmael was wounded by a musket ball in the hand (right) while carrying the U.S. flag. He changed hands to continue carrying the flag.
25 Feb 1864 -- Corporal Palmer entered Beaufort Hospital, South Carolina.
Feb|March 1864 -- Absent, sick in hospital at Beaurfort, S. C.
15 Apr 1864 -- discharged from Beaufort Hospital and returned to duty.
Sept 1864 -- On duty warden at prisoners camp
8 Oct, 1864 -- Reduced in rank--from Corporal to Private--for fighting at the Prisoners Camp, per order Col. Hollowell. No further description is available. It is interesting to note that Ishmael's stone identifies him as a Sergeant. There is no support for that in military records. Brother Joseph was a sergeant. Ishmael may have submitted that rank with his application for military pension to obtain a higher award. Joseph never applied for a pension.
July 1865 -- Pvt. Palmer Absent detch. Post Commsay Charleston no order. Per transcription. Record is of uncertain meaning.
20 Aug 1865 -- Corporal. Mustered out of service at Mt. Pleasant, Charleston, S.C.
--Prepared and submitted by Clint Black, #47536687, May, 2012
Children:
Otto Grant Palmer 1876-1965
Albert Melville Palmer 1882-1960
Frances Palmer 1884
Grace Palmer Wyatt 4/29/1886- 4/1977
Viola Palmer 1889
Sandford "Sam" Palmer. 1891-1917
Marthena C. Palmer Bowman 1894-1985
Eva Palmer 1897
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